Cinematography



J. M. ANDREWS CINEMATOGRAPHY Filed Nov. 19 1921 7 1w n e w Patented Oct.27, a 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JARVIS M. ANDREWS, or w LLAsToN, MASSACHUSETTS, AssIC oR, BY MESNEASSIGN- MENTS, To TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION, or BOSTON,MASSA CHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

CINEMATOGRAPHY.

Application filed November 19, 1921. Serial No. 516,357.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JARVIS M. ANoREws,

citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Vollaston, inthe county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Cinematography, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to the art of cinematography and moreparticularly to an etching process and apparatus for producing films onwhich the images are in the form of 4 reliefs. Such films are useful inreproducing scenes either in black andwhite or in color. In colorreproduction the images are formed in complemcntal series and sets, eachseries. representing one color aspect of the scene and each set(comprising one image in each series) together being adapted to producea picture representative of the scene more or less accurately in naturalcolors. The complemental images may be stained or otherwise colored andthen employed in various ways. For example, they maybe used as matricesto transfer upon other film by imbibition; they may be separatelyprojected upon a screen in registry in an additive process; or they maybe superposed in registry and projected upon a screen in a subtractiveprocess. WVhen superposed they are preferably joined together as, forexample, according to the disclosure in copending application of Trolandand Ball, Serial No. 500,842, filed September 15, 1921.

The images may be converted into reliefs i-n various ways. In certainmethods, which may be designated indirect relief methods, the films areexposed from the emulsion side and the exposed emulsion is etched awayafter the unexposed emulsion has been hardened to withstand the etchingprocess, the unexposed emulsion being left on the film in'the form ofreliefs which are approximately the counterparts of-the exposed poitions of the emulsions. In other meth- .ods, which may be designateddirect relief methods, the films are'exposed through the back and theunexposed emulsion is etched away, after the exposed emulsion has beento its direction of movement through the solution, i. e. lengthwise ofthe film. Furthermore", the etching is too slow, particu- ,larly if itis to be effected at a stage succeeding the, developing and hardening ofthe emulsion in the same continuous process. Moreover, an excessiveamount of etching solution is required to effect even fairly cleanetching, it being necessary continuously to replenish the solution; andalthough the solution comprises only water the cost of heating water insufficient quantity is commercially prohibitive in the aforesaid tankmethod.

Objects of the patent invention are to provide an improved method andapparatus for etching cinematographic films whereby the etching processmay be performed more rapidly and cheaply and whereby the images may beetched more sharply and cleanly and with lessv tendency toward streakingand other imperfections.

The invention involves etching a film,

after it has been conditioned for the etching process, by flowingetching liquid along the surface of the film, the film preferably beingcontinuously advanced in the direction opposite to the flow'of liquid sothat it continuously passes to and from the stream, each area of thefilm progressively coming into contact with fresher liquid if fedcounter to thestream. \Vhile the etching stream may be directed along atrough ortube through which the film is being fed it is preferablyflowed along the surface of the film in a thin unconfined stream justgravity along the upward part of the film,

that is the part advancing along the aforesaid upwardly extending partof the film path. If the amou-ne of etching liquid is properly regulatedthe stream will cover the film from edge to edge without leaving thefilm, especially if the film extends "ertically or nearly so.

While the etchmg may be effected solely by a stream as aforesaid it ispreferably first passed through a body of etching liquid to soften thatpart 'of the emulsion to be etched away and to start the etching action.The extent to which the etching process advances in the body of liquidmay be varied widely, but in any event it is completed bythe'aforesaidstreams When employing such a body of liquid the film is preferably fedupwardly from the surface of the body directly into and throughtheaforesaid stream, the stream flowing downwardly along The stream thusreplenishes the body of liquid which preferably overflows from thebottom .at the same rate as it is replenished. Incidentally, the stream.carries any matter floating on the surface of said body away from theplace where the film emerges from the body, inasmuch as the stream tendsto spread away from the film atsaid surface, whereby the floating matteris prevented from adhering to the film.

The aforesaid stream of liquid is agitated by-its flow and thisfacilitates and improves the etching action. This agitation isaccentuated by the film sprocket holes which tend to deflect the streamobliquely inwardly to- Ward the center of the film.

After the film passes through the liquid stream the liquid superficiallyadhering to the film is preferably blown off in a direc- V tion bothtrarisversely and longitudinally oblique to the film, that isin adirection which is oblique to both the transverse and longitudinaldimensions of the film, this being peculiarly effective in thoroughlyre-.

moving the superficial liquid without streak- "ing the film, whereas anair jet. which is oblique only transversely or only longitudinally ofthe film is ineffective thoroughly to remove the liquid and at the sametime avoid streaks. The air is preferably directed to the film by anelongate nozzle or opening extending substantially across the film, theopening preferably being adjustable to vary the obliquity of the jetrelatively to the surface of the film.

The aforesaid stream ofliquid is preferably directed upon the film bynozzles, that the film into thezbody of liquid.

the film throughout a very large area.

is outlet orifices, located at the edges of the I film; and in the caseof double films or double-coated films the same orifices are preferablyarranged to direct the stream partly to one side and partly to the otherNDIOH Fig. 5 is a face view of one of the liquid nozzles; and

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2. The particular embodiment ofthe invention chosen .for the purpose of illustration is shown asapplied to apparatus for continuously developing, bleaching and fixingcinematographic films. Such apparatus ordlnarily comprises a series oftanks through which the film is continuously fed in succession. In Fig.1 two such tanks are shown at 1 and 2, the others to the right beingomitted. The film enters tank 1 over rollers 3, thence passes'downwardlyaround roller 4, thencefiupwardly over roller 5, thence downwardly intank 2 over roller 6, and thence upwardly to roller 7 where it passes tothe left into a drying chamber or to other film-treating apparatus..According to the present invention the tank 1 may as shown in Fig. 5,whereby the liquid is directedto both sides of the film from the sameorifice. In order to position the film relatively to the orifice, guidesare provided adjacent the orifice and in the preferred embodimentillustrated in the drawings these guidesare mounted upon and formedintegrally with the nozzle,' the guides being in the form of flanges 11and 12 forming .a channel 13 therebetween to receive the film. Theseflanges are preferably shaped and positioned to bear upon the filmonlyat points 14 and 15, therebyto center the film relatively to the orificewithout engaging T he flanges 11 and 12 preferably extend only to thesprocket holes of the film, the position of'which is indicated at 16inFig.2 so as not to rub against the image-bearing portion of the film. Byinclining the nozzle -relative to the path of the film, as shown in Fig.5, the ends of the flanges serve as the bearings for guiding the filmand the orifices are inclined to the path of the film so that an.adequate uantity of water is directed to both sides of the film eventhough the film is somewhat warped and therefore. does-not lie wholly inthe plane defined by the bearing edges let and 15. In the particularembodiment illustrated, identical nozzles are provided on opposite sidesof the film. and they connect through branched ducts 17 and 18 with acommon supply pipe 19. j

The nozzles 10 are preferably located directly above the etching tank 2so that the film extends substantially vertically from the tank to thenozzles, especially if the film is to be etched on both sides. Thedistance of the nozzles above the tank depends upon the rate of liquidflow, its temperature,

the rate of film travel, and the exent to which the etching progressesin the tank 2, but in any event the distanceis sutficiently gi ea't sothat the film is completely etched by the time it reaches'the nozzles.

A'suitable etching liquid comprises water at a temperature of about 120F. the water being'supplied at such a, rate that astream .-flows downeach side of the film from the full width of the film. With therate offlow properly adjusted both sides of the film can be fully coveredthroughout the entire distance between the nozzle and the tank withoutany of the liquid overflowing at the edges of the film.

Inthe illustrated embodiment the film passes between opposed airynozzles 20 shortly aftefpassing between the liquid nozzles 10. Thepreferred construction of the air nozzles comprises two tubular membersextending in parallel relationship along opposite sides of the film, andjoined at 21 with the'two branches 22 of larger tube 23. the end ofwhich is formed as shown in Figs. 2 and l to fit the ends of the tubes20. On theinner side of the tubes 20 are longitudinal slots 24 facingthe 0pposite sides of the film. Fitting within the tubes 20 with a snugsliding fit, are tubes 25 which are provided with narrow longitudinalslots 26. The tubes 25 are open at -lheir lower ends (Fig.2) and closedat' their upper ends. the upper ends beingproyided with handles 27 whichproject beyond the open ends of the outer tubes 20.-

By means of handles 27 the inner tubes may berotated to adjust thedirection of slots 26. thereby to adjust thesingularity of' the jet ofair from the nozzles to the film. I

An improved feature of the invention involves the oblique arrangementof'the air.

nozzles relatively to the film, the nozzles being oblique relatively toboth the transverse and longitudinal dimensions of the film, thepreferred degree of angularity being illustrated in Fig. 2. In additionto this oblique disposition of the tubes the slots 26 are preferablypositioned by means of the handles 27 so that the air jets are' directeddownwardly and to the left (Fig. 2). Vith this arrangementsubstantiallyall of the superficial liquid is blown off the film and at the same timethe streaks on some cases a considerable amount-of the I liquid mightnothe blown off, especially near the edge of the film opposite to theair nozzles.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The film is fedcontinuously through the. apparatus as aforesaid. As the film passesthrough the tank 2, the gelatin to be etched away is'softened and may heetched away to some extent, this tank being filled with water atapproximately 120 F. As the film passes upwardly from the surface of thebody of liquid in tank'2 to the nozzles- 10, both sides of the film aresubjected to the action of a rapidly flowing stream urally agitated byits own flow and is further agitated hy' the sprocket holes which tendto divert the water inwardly from both sides toward the center therebykeeping it thoroughly stirred. The result is that the soft gelatin israpidly carried away and the film. after passing nozzles .10. isentirely cleansed of soft gelatin leaving the hard gelatin in sharprelief. Inasmuch as the marginal portions of the film are never exposed.the gelatin on the margins entirely washes away leaving perfectly cleancelluloid outside the sprocket holes. After the film passes nozzles 10it passes between nozzles 20 where the liquid superficially adh ring tothe film is blown off so that the film may he quickly dried whensubsequently passed through a drying chamber. The tank 2 may becontinuously replenished with-hot water by a pipe opening thcreinloeither at the top or bottom or any intermediate position. but ordinarilythe water flow:

required for the purpose is only a small fraction of the amount requiredby other known processes.

2. The art of forming relief cinematographic films which comprisesconditioning a film for the etching process, continuously advancing thefilm in one direction, and llowlng an etching liquid alongthe surface ofthe film in the opposite direction.

3. The art of forming relief cinematographic films which comprisesconditioning a film for the etching process and then flowing a thinunconfined stream of etching liquid alongthe surface of the film. q

4. The art 0 forming relief cinemato graphic films w ich comprisesconditioning a film for the etching process, positioning the film sothat it extends downward longitudinally, and directing a stream ofetching liquid upon the film so that it runs downwardly'along thesurface of the film.

5. Theart of forming relief cinematographic films which comprisesconditioning a film for the, etching process, continuously advancing thefilm along. a path a part of.

which extends upwardly,-and directing a stream of etching liquid uponthe filmso that it runs downwardly along the surface of the film as thelatter advances along the upward part'of said path, the liquid beingsupplied in'such quantity and manner as to form a stream which iscontinuous across .the central image-bearing width of the film.

6. The-art of. forming relief cinemat-. ographic films which comprisesconditioning a film for the etching process, advancing the film througha body of etching liquid and thence upwardly from said body, and flowingetching liquid downwardly along the surface of the film above said body.

7;. The art of forming relief cinematographic films which comprisesconditioning a film forthe etching process. advancing the film through,a body ofetching liquid and thence upwardly from said body, and flowingetching liquid from a location above the level of said body downwardlyalong the'surface of the film to said body, the liquid being supplied insuch quantity and manner as to form a stream which is continuous acrossthe central image-bearing width of the film.

8. The artpof forming relief cinematographic films which comprisesconditionmg a film for the etching process, and flowing etching liquidupon the film from opposite edges to cause a stream which 1s continuousacross the central image-bearing width of the film to fiow downwardlyt-hereetching liquid upon the film so that it runs downwardly along thesurface of the film .as the latter advances along'the upward part ofsaid path, and blowing the superficial liquidfrom the film after itpasses through said stream.

10. The art of forming relief cinematogra-phic films which comprisesconditioning a film for the etching process, advancing the film along apath a part of which extends upwardly, directing a stream of etchingliquid upon the film so that it runs downwardly along the surface of thefilm as the'latter advances along the upward part of said path, andblowing the superficial liquid from the film in a direction bothtransversely and'longitudinally oblique to the film.

l1. The art of forming relief cinemat ographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a fil-m along a path a part ofwhichcxtends upwardly, a

liquid nozzle located adjacent the upward part of said path fordirecting a stream of etching liquid upon the film so that it runsdownwardly thcrealong, and an air nozzle havi ng an elongate out-letextending approximatelyparallel to the film in a direction oblique tothe direction of film advance for blowing off the superficial liquidafter-the film passes through said stream.

12.. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a' film along a predetermined path, andabranched nozzle having openings directed toward the film on oppositeedges thereof.

1.3. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, anda branched nozzle having openings directed toward opposite edges ofthefilm.

14. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, anda branched nozzle having openings directed toward opposite edges of thefilm, the openings being disposed in part onone side of the plane of thefilm and in part on the other side of said plane.

15. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for c0nti nu ousl advancin a film alon a redea: s P

terminedpath, and means having fluid the wide slot openings directedtoward the edges of the film, the openings being positioned in the planeof the film so as tobe intersected thereby.

16. In the art of forming cinematographic film's, the combination of.means for continuously advancing a film along a path, a liquidnozzle."fordirecting a stream of liquid upon the film so that it runsdownward thereon,

and an elongate nozzle extending approximatelyparallel to the film butobliquely to the path of the latter, said second mentioned nozzle havingan. outlet adapted to bedirected in a direction transverse of the filmand counter to the direction of film advance.

17. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a path, a part of whichextends upwardly, a liquidnozzle for directing a stream of etchingliquid upon the film so that it runs downwardly therealong, and anelongate nozzle extending along one si'de of the film, the outlet ofsaid last mentioned nozzle being angularly related to the film-and being'angularly adju'stable relatively thereto. I

18. In the art" of forming cinematographic film's, the combinationofmeans for advanc-' ing a film. along a predeterminedppath,

means for flowing a sheet of liquid theron, and a tubular nozzleextending along one side of the film and having an outlet at one sidethereof and being rotatable to adjust the position of the outletrelative to the film.

19. In the art of formi g cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path,means for causing a sheet of liquid to flow longitudinally thereof, anda tubular nozzle extending along one side of the film and having 'alongitudinal slot along one side and being rotatable about its axis toadjust the angularity of the slot relative to the film.

20. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path,means for causing a sheet of liquid to flow thereon, and means'fordirecting fiuid upon said film ata point beyond said first mentionedmeans in the direction of motion of the film including a nozzlecomprising two telescop ed tubes rotatable relativeto each other, onetube having a wide slot along one side and the-other having a narrowerslot movable transversely .of upon relative rotation of the tubes.

21. In the art of forming cinematographic.

films, the combinationof means for continuously advancinga film along apredeter-- mined path, and a branched nozzle having openings directedtoward the film on opposite sides thereof and discharging in a directionparallel to the surface of said film.

22. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing. a film along a predetermined path, anda branched nozzle having openings directed toward the film on oppositesides thereofand discharging in a direction transverse to the path ofsaid film but parallel to the plane thereof.

23. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, anda branched nozzle with openings arranged outside the lateral limits ofsaid film and directed toward each other.

24. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, andmeans discharging thereon a stream divided'by said film.

25. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, andmeans discharging thereon a stream bisected by said film.

2G. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, andmeans discharging thereon a-stream in a direction substantially parallelto the plane of said film and transverse to its path.

27. In the art of'forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predeter-' mined path,means for discharging thereon a stream divided by said film, and guidingmeans cooperating only with the edges of said film at'points at oppositesides of said discharging means.

28. In the art of forming cinematographic films, the combination ofmeans for continuously advancing a film along a predetermined path, andmeans for guiding said film and discharging thereon a stream divided bysaid film including a nozzle having a discharge orifice cut by the planeof said an orifice in such close juxtaposition to the film that a streamof liquid flows downwardly along the face of the film with little if anyoverflow from the film until the stream reaches the lower end of saidpath.

30. Then-art according to claim 29 further characterized in that theetching liquid is flowed upon the film from its opposite edges so as tospread entirely across both sides of I a nozzle in close juxtapositionto the path of the film and means, associated with the nozzle forguiding the, film past the nozzle 10 in predetermined relationshipthereto.

Signeclby me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 5th day of November 1921. i

-- JARVIS M. ANDREWS.

